Early this week, the National League of Cities (NLC) hosted Sen. Maria Cantwell and two bill sponsors of the Railway Safety Act of 2023 on a call to update cities on the movement of this important legislation. A bipartisan bill, Senate Bill 576 includes several proposals to prevent derailments and make the country’s rail network safer for communities and railroad workers.

In recent years, the nation has seen an increase in train derailments, as trains have grown in length and railroad companies have cut down on staff. On average, three train derailments occurred per day in the last year. Wait times at rail crossings have increased due to longer train lengths, causing delays in emergency services to residents. Rail car inspection time is inadequate and rail company communication with local governments lacking, leaving communities ill-prepared to respond to rail accidents.

The bill prioritizes these issues and seeks to improve rail safety protocols by “enhancing safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, establishing requirements for wayside defect detectors, creating a permanent requirement for railroads to operate with at least two-person crews, increasing fines for wrongdoing committed by rail carriers” and more.

Sen. Cantwell chairs the Senate Commerce Committee and will oversee the bill as it moves through the Committee this month. S.B. 576 needs your support to pass a closely divided Congress. AWC staff asks Washington cities to tell us your stories about rail in your community. How many derailments and blocked crossings have happened in or near your city? What rail safety concerns are you facing? Email us or contact Sen. Cantwell’s office to share your story and express support for the legislation.

To learn more about federal rail safety activity, read NLC’s detailed rail safety recommendations to Congress and check out this blog post.